Removable Support Apparatus for Attachment to a Beach Umbrella and Method of Manufacturing Same

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a support apparatus for attachment to a pole, such as the pole of a shade umbrella, comprising a collapsible tray, wherein the tray is configured to encircle the pole, with a surface exposed for placement of objects thereon; a sleeve connected to the tray wherein the sleeve is configured for parallel attachment to the pole; and a plurality of arms coupled to the tray, wherein the plurality of arms are configured and located to permit the plurality of arms to move from an extended position away from the pole to a closed position, substantially parallel to the pole. The support apparatus is configured for reversible attachment to the pole and is height-adjustable. The support apparatus is configured and disposed for placement of objects, such as personal electronic devices, sunscreen, beverages, books, and the like on a surface thereof or a compartment therein. The support apparatus is removable and collapsible for easy transport and storage when not in use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 61/333,455,filed May 5, 2010, incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to a support apparatus for attachment to apole, such as a pole for a shade, beach, or patio umbrella.

BACKGROUND

Shade umbrellas are very common in recreational settings. For instance,people often bring umbrellas to the beach to shade the sun. Similarly,people often use umbrellas to shade the sun when relaxing on a terraceor patio or near a pool.

Vertical poles are used to support shade umbrellas. Since the verticalpole of a shade umbrella is generally within arms reach of a personunder the canopy of the shade umbrella, it would be convenient if theumbrella's vertical pole could be utilized for some secondary purpose.One possible secondary purpose would be the placement or storage ofpersonal objects that are often taken to the beach or pool, especiallythose items that are not waterproof or that one desires to keep free ofsand. Such items extend from personal items such as jewelry that may getlost in the water or sand, to items that can be damaged or contaminatedby sand.

Various receptacles have been invented that are intended to attach to anumbrellas pole so as to provide an elevated place to store objects, suchas those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,133 and D291,635. In both thecited references, the receptacle is rigid, fixed and attached to thepole of an umbrella using a tube clamp that passes around the umbrellapole and a set key that passes through the tube clamp and tightensagainst the umbrella pole.

Unfortunately, many such references describe devices that are rigid andfixed in shape, and not collapsible nor easily stored. Moreover, manydevices that use a tube clamp to engage a vertical pole havedisadvantages, mainly their limited availability of use with onlyspecific types of vertical poles, their proneness to slippage along thepole, and their poor holding strength. Also, because they are made ofmetal parts, prior-art devices are prone to damage from the elements,such as rust, following repeated exposure to water and sand.

SUMMARY

Described herein is a support apparatus for attachment to a pole, suchas the pole of a shade umbrella, beach or patio umbrella. In oneembodiment, the apparatus includes a collapsible tray for placement ofobjects thereon or therein, configured to encircle the pole of theumbrella. A sleeve is connected to the tray and is configured forparallel attachment to the pole. A plurality of the arms is coupled tothe tray and are configured and located to permit the tray to move froman extended position away from the pole to a closed position, when theplurality of arms is substantially parallel to the pole. The supportapparatus attaches to the pole, thereby providing a convenient place tostore objects, particularly smaller personal objects that are ideallykept close at hand.

The support apparatus is configured for reversible attachment to thepole, so that in addition to being portable, the apparatus is heightadjustable. In one embodiment, the support apparatus connects to thepole by wrapping the sleeve of the apparatus around a portion of thepole at the height desired by a user. Because the sleeve is wrappedaround the pole, when the sleeve is loose it is movable and can be slidup or down the pole as desired and attached at any point along thelength of the pole. To attach the apparatus to the pole, the sleeve ispulled taut and secured around the pole by an attachment means. In oneembodiment, removal of the apparatus is accomplished by simply releasingor loosening the attachment means and sliding the loosened apparatus offof the pole.

The support apparatus is configured and disposed for placement ofobjects thereon or therein, such as personal electronic devices,sunscreen, beverages, books, and the like. In one embodiment, thesupport apparatus comprises one or more compartments which can be ofvarious shapes, sizes and forms, such as circular openings, andvarying-shaped depressions, sections, and/or partitions.

The support apparatus is removable and collapsible for easy transportand storage when not in use. In one embodiment, the support apparatus iscollapsed by movement of the plurality of arms from an extended positionaway from the pole to a closed position essentially parallel to thepole. In another embodiment, the support apparatus may be secured in theclosed position while attached to the pole with fastening means, such asa strap, tie, snap or other fastening means. In yet another embodiment,the support apparatus may be first removed from the pole, and secured inthe closed position with fastening means, so that the collapsedapparatus may be stored for future use.

The support apparatus is lightweight and entirely collapsible. In oneembodiment, the components of the apparatus are made of flexible butresilient materials, such as one or a combination of nylon, rubber,Teflon, mesh, canvas, sailcloth, or other suitable natural or syntheticmaterials.

The foregoing summary provides an exemplary overview of some aspects ofthe invention. It is not intended to be extensive, or absolutely requireany key/critical elements of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description is explained with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. It isemphasized that the various features in the figures are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and dimensions of the various features may bearbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary support apparatus attached to a shade umbrellapole according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side-view of an exemplary support apparatus according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the exemplary sleeve of the support apparatusaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the plurality of arms of the support apparatusaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5 A, B and C show a view of an open-versus-closed position of thetray while attached to an umbrella pole, according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a collapsible support apparatus for attachment tothe pole of a shade umbrella, such as a beach or patio umbrella. Thesupport apparatus is configured and disposed with a tray for placementof objects thereon or therein, such as when the shade umbrella is inuse.

The support apparatus comprises a collapsible tray for placement ofobjects thereon or therein, wherein the tray is configured to encirclethe pole. A sleeve connects to the tray, wherein the sleeve isconfigured for parallel attachment to the pole. A plurality of arms arecoupled to the tray, wherein the plurality of arms are configured andlocated to permit the plurality of arms to move from an extendedposition (“open” position) away from the pole to a positionsubstantially parallel to the pole (“closed” position). Movement of thearms outward to an extended position moves the tray to an open position,whereas retraction of the arms substantially parallel to the pole causesthe tray to collapse into its closed position.

The entire apparatus, or portions thereof, are formed of rigid yetflexible materials so that it can be completely or partially flexible,and hence foldable and collapsible.

Example support apparatuses are described in further detail inaccordance with the accompanying figures.

Example Support Apparatus

An exemplary support apparatus is shown at FIG. 1. In one embodiment,support apparatus 100 attaches to a pole 101 by wrapping sleeve 102around the pole 101 of a beach umbrella 103 and securing the sleeve 102by attachment means (shown in more detail in FIG. 3). In itsfully-extended “open” position, a plurality of arms 106 are coupled totray 108 and extend from the sleeve 102 to an edge 110 of a tray 108.

In one embodiment, one or more compartments 112 may be disposed in tray108 of varying shapes and sizes, commensurate with the types on objectsto be placed in therein. Apparatus 100 is height-adjustable in order toallow positioning of tray 108 at a desired level, such as abovesand-level and water-level, so that personal objects placed on or intray 108 are isolated from sand and water.

In another embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a side-view of one embodiment of anexemplary support apparatus with compartments 112, which in this exampleare openings with a lining, such as a mesh lining, thereby forming asuspended compartment 112 beneath a surface 114 of the tray 108. Suchsuspended compartments 112 are ideally suited for placement or storageof, for example, a beverage container 216, 218 (FIG. 2) such as a waterbottle, can, or other appropriate beverage container.

Exemplary Tray

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, tray 108 comprises a surface 114for placement of objects thereon. When tray 108 is attached to pole 101in an open position and arms 106 are extended away from pole 101,surface 114 of tray 108 is exposed and substantially parallel with theground; substantially parallel meaning an angle with a range of 0 toabout 45 degrees.

In one embodiment, surface 114 of tray 108 is comprised of fabric ofsufficient rigidity and strength, such as nylon, canvas, or othernatural or synthetic material, as to support the weight of objectsplaced on or in tray 108. Such material of surface 114 of tray 108 isconfigured to attach to or encapsulate one or more portions, or all, ofa circular frame 116, which may also be a lip of tray 108. Frame 116 maybe a cable, wire, rubber, rope, chain, flexible, or even contain rigidor semi-rigid portions forming a circular ring linked to together, sothat edge 110 of tray 108 can fold from an open to a closed positionaround pole 101. Frame 116 is optional, and it is possible for the outeredges 110 of tray 108 to be material without a lip or any rigid or semirigid material.

In one embodiment, tray 108 radiates outward in a circular fashion froma sleeve as shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, tray 108 can beadapted with a smaller radius, or configured with a larger radius; thusthe tray is not necessarily restricted in size.

In one embodiment, tray 108 is disposed with one or more compartments ofvarious shapes, sizes and forms, such as circular openings, depressions,and compartments (see e.g., 112 of FIG. 2). Compartments may beopen—with objects visible—for easy access of objects, or covered,thereby concealing items stored in the apparatus. In another embodiment,compartments may be outfitted with closing means such as zippers, snaps,buttons, or other suitable closing means. In yet another embodiment, oneor more compartments outfitted as enclosed compartments may also beconfigured with a security mechanism, such as a lock or other securitydevice, for more secure placement of objects.

In one embodiment, compartments 112 can traverse surface 114 of traysuch that an opening forms in surface 114 of tray 108, such as acircular opening for holding bottles 216, cans, and other beveragecontainers 218 and the like, as shown in FIG. 2. In yet anotherembodiment, compartments may extend from a surface 114 of tray 108, suchas the suspended beverage compartments shown in FIG. 2.

In one embodiment, compartments 112 may be made of material that iscontiguous with the tray materials or made of separate and distinctmaterials, such as mesh compartments, or waterproof compartments. As useand storage requirements can vary, it will be appreciated that thearrangement of compartments may be modified to meet various differentstorage requirements.

Exemplary Sleeve

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown in more detail sleeve 102 of thesupport apparatus 100. In one embodiment, sleeve 102 is orientedperpendicular to surface 114 tray 108 (when in an opened position) andcoextensive with pole 101 of a standard beach umbrella. In anotherembodiment, sleeve 102 is configured to be essentially tubular with avertical opening 302 extending along an axial-length wise portion ofsleeve 102 thereby creating a pair of opposing edges 318, such that thepair of edges 318 is brought together around pole 101 (FIG. 1), therebyallowing sleeve 102 to wrap around and grasp pole 101. Likewise, pair ofedges 318 can be pulled away from each other in order to loosen thesleeve from the pole. In one embodiment, sleeve 102 is made of rubber,but other strong, yet pliable materials, such as moldable plastic orlatex may be used.

In another embodiment, sleeve 102 is secured to the pole by attachmentmeans 320. In one embodiment, attachment means 320 comprise a Velcrostrap or other means of securing/compressing sleeve 320 tightly aroundpole 101 by friction, such as an elastic strap, a hook, a snap, amagnetic closure, or other suitable attachment means. In one embodiment,attachment means 320 are one or more complimentary Velcro stripsprovided along a portion of the opposing edges of the sleeve, so thatthe edges may be brought together and secured together by thecomplimentary Velcro strips. In another embodiment, attachment means aremagnetic and may be configured in a similar fashion along all or aportion of the opposing edges of the sleeve. In the illustratedembodiment, sleeve 102 is outfitted with attachments means 320, however,sleeve 102 and attachment means 320 may remain separate until which timethe attachment means are needed to secure sleeve to the pole.

In another embodiment (not shown), sleeve 102 may be fixedly fastened topole 101 and/or integrated as a part of umbrella 103. For example,sleeve 102 may be attached via screws or glue or other fasteningmechanisms.

Exemplary Arms

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which shows two exemplaryviews of arms of the support apparatus according to differentembodiments.

In one embodiment, arms 106 radiate from sleeve 102 outward to an edge110 of tray 108. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, four arms areshown, although it will be appreciated that more or fewer arms may beused in the apparatus, so that the number of arms present can be limitedby the amount of space available on the apparatus.

In one embodiment, arms 106 extend from sleeve 102 to an edge 110 of thetray 108 in a downward fashion at an angle away from pole 101, therebyconnecting sleeve 102 to an edge 110 of the tray 108, such as shown inFIG. 4A. In another embodiment, arms 106 extends outward from the sleevein a perpendicular fashion, thereby connecting sleeve 102 to an edge oftray 108, the plurality of arms 106 being coextensive with an inner edge402 of tray 108, such as shown in FIG. 4B. In yet another embodiment,arms 106 may be configured as telescoping members (not shown) thatextend directly from the sleeve. Thus, the arms can be of fixed lengthor change size (telescoping). As used herein, “edge of tray” may includean inner, outer, or other peripheral portion of tray 108, as may bespecified, such as inner edge 402.

In one embodiment, plurality of arms 106 are configured and located topermit arms 106 to move from an extended position away from sleeve 102(an “open” position), to a position substantially parallel to sleeve 102(a “closed” position). The open position of the plurality of arms 106positions surface 114 of tray 108 essentially parallel to the ground;“essentially parallel” meaning that surface 114 of tray 108 (is at anangle within a range of about 0 to 45 degrees). The open position ofarms 106 also reveals a surface 114 of tray for placement of objectsthereon.

In one embodiment, arms 106 connect to sleeve 102 via hinge means 404(FIG. 4A), thereby creating hinged arms. In another embodiment, hingedarms 106 radiate from sleeve 102 and are capable of being secured in theextended and open position via a latch means. In one embodiment, latchmeans (not shown) provide for releasably holding the arms in an extended(open) position. Appropriate latching/unlatching means are well known tothose well versed in the art, such as the latching means used in openingand closing of standard beach umbrellas.

In one embodiment, the latch means allow the hinged arms to be manuallypositioned in either an open (extended) or closed (collapsed) position.In another embodiment, the latch means secure the arms in an extendedposition through engagement of a protrusion from a recess that, whenengaged, prevents movement of the arms.

In one embodiment, arms 106 are made of a strong yet pliable natural orsynthetic material, such as rubber, nylon, plastic. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of arms has an appropriate thickness andlength and other appropriate dimensions depending on the radius of thetray.

FIGS. 5, A, B and C show a side-view of the open-versus-closed positionof tray 108 and arms 106 according to one embodiment of the invention.In the open position, shown at FIG. 5 A, tray 108 is of a generallycircular shape and is oriented parallel to the ground. In oneembodiment, the plurality of arms 106 is extended outward from the pole,whether at a fixed length or by telescoping the arms to a positionessentially parallel to the ground. To initiate movement into the closedposition, shown at FIG. 5 C, the tray and arms are brought inward towardthe pole from a position essentially parallel with the ground to aposition essentially parallel with the pole 101. In one embodiment, thearms 106 are unhinged as to allow movement. In another embodiment, arms106 are adjusted in size by manipulation of the telescoping arm members.Movement inward toward the pole is represented by a general “V-shape” asillustrated in FIG. 5B. Thus, in one embodiment, the apparatus collapsesinto a closed position in a direction opposite that of the beachumbrella to which it is attached.

In another embodiment, support apparatus 100 can be stored when not inuse by collapsing the support apparatus and securing thecollapsed—closed—apparatus with securing means, such as a strap, tie,hook, bungee, elastic, Velcro, or other suitable means for securing theapparatus in the closed position, such as a cover, whether the apparatusis attached to the umbrella pole or removed from the umbrella pole.

CONCLUSION

It will be understood that a person skilled in the art could makealternate embodiments of the described apparatus using functionallyequivalent components that have not been expressly described. Forexample, the size and shape of the tray can be altered as desired; andlikewise the arrangement and assortment of compartments.

Reference herein to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, an “example” orsimilar formulations, means that a particular feature, structure,operation, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment, is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, theappearances of such phrases or formulations herein are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, various particularfeatures, structures, operations, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

It is to be understood that the subject of this application is notlimited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the subjoined Claims and theirequivalents.

1. A support apparatus for attachment to a pole, comprising: acollapsible tray, wherein the tray is configured to encircle the pole; asleeve connected to the tray wherein the sleeve is coextensive with anouter surface of the pole, and disposed, at least partially, between thetray and the outer surface of the pole; and arms coupled between an edgeof the tray and the sleeve, wherein the arms are configured to move toand from an extended position to a closed position; wherein when thearms are in the extended position, the arms are substantiallyperpendicular to the pole and the sleeve, and the edge of the trayextends away from pole such that a surface of the tray for receivingobjects thereon is substantially parallel with the ground; wherein whenthe arms are in the closed position, the arms are substantially parallelwith the pole and the sleeve, and the surface of the tray collapsesaround the pole.
 2. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the traycomprises at least one compartment.
 3. The support apparatus of claim 1,wherein the tray is partially comprised of at least one of a meshfabric, a nylon fabric, and a canvas fabric.
 4. The support apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises attachment means for reversiblyattaching the apparatus to the pole.
 5. The support apparatus of claim1, wherein the plurality of arms is partially comprised of rubber. 6.The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus isheight-adjustable.
 7. A method of manufacturing a support apparatus forattachment to a pole, comprising: providing a collapsible tray, whereinthe tray is configured to encircle the pole; providing a sleeveconnected to the tray; configuring the sleeve for parallel attachment tothe pole; and providing a plurality of the arms coupled to the tray,wherein the plurality of arms are configured and located to permit theplurality of arms to move from an extended position away from the poleto a closed position, substantially parallel to the pole.
 8. A supportapparatus for attachment to an umbrella pole, comprising: a collapsibletray having a flexible surface for placement of objects thereon ortherein, wherein the collapsible tray is configured to encircle thepole; a sleeve connected to the tray and to the pole; a plurality ofarms coupled to the tray movably coupled to the collapsible tray to movethe collapsible tray from an extended position away from the pole to aposition substantially parallel to the pole, wherein movement of thearms outward to the extended position moves the flexible surface of thecollapsible tray to an open position in which the flexible surface issubstantially perpendicular to the pole, and substantially parallel theground.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the arms pivot in inverserelation to movement of arms of an umbrella from an open position to acollapsed-closed position.